Polvorones

Polvorones are a type of shortbread cookie popular in Spain and Latin American countries. They are crumbly, rich, and often flavored with almonds or other nuts. Here’s a traditional recipe for making polvorones:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (60g) finely ground almonds or almond flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Additional powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Flour:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   • Spread the flour on a baking sheet and toast it in the oven for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly golden and fragrant. Let the flour cool completely.
2. Mix the Dough:
   • In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter until it’s creamy.
   • Add the powdered sugar, ground almonds, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
   • Gradually add the cooled flour to the butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
3. Shape the Cookies:
   • Divide the dough into small portions and shape each portion into a ball or flatten it slightly to form a disk.
   • Place the shaped dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
4. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will be delicate, so handle them with care.
   • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Dust with Sugar:
   • Once the cookies are completely cool, dust them generously with powdered sugar.

Tips:

• You can substitute the almonds with other nuts like pecans or walnuts.
• Store the polvorones in an airtight container; they can last up to a week.

Enjoy your delicious polvorones!